This is probably one of Oslo's most intimate bars, with enough room only for five small tables. The atmosphere is warm, kept in a subtle 1950s style. Its main attraction is actually its owner, Jan Varden. He is one of Norway's few enthusiasts when it comes to mixing cocktails, and his skills have made him a minor celebrity in the region. If you want the best in concoctions, this is one of the places you should definitely visit.
There is one of these in every major city and happily also one in Oslo: a place that looks like jazz, feels like jazz, smells like jazz and definitely sounds like jazz. Herr Nilsen is a small and intimate jazz café with regular concerts scheduled in the week. Drinks are reasonably priced and the staff is always friendly. Light snack food is available. This is the kind of place where you can sit back and relax.
Do you like soccer? Do you like Arsenal? If the answers are "yes", you will like Highbury. As the name implies, this is where fans of the London-based soccer team meet when the Gunners enter the field. You can also enjoy watching Norwegian and international soccer on a big-screen TV. Highbury has an atmosphere that soccer-lovers from all over the world will recognize and appreciate. Scarves, T-shirts and pictures accompany a wide variety of English and Norwegian beers, which are sold at average prices. Get in there early if there is an important match on.
What's could be better than listening to some of the best DJs in Norway while surrounded by plenty of food, alcohol, and beautiful people? Perhaps doing all of that 12 stories above the ground, atop the historic Folkteateret building, with a beautiful panoramic view of the bustling city of Oslo would be an improvement. This is the premise of Stratos. For most of the year it is rented out for weddings or corporate events, but during certain holidays and the summer months it opens up to the public as a nightclub featuring live music, DJs, and an unforgettable view. Call or email for table reservations.
This gourmet restaurant, located in the heart of Oslo's oldest neighborhood, is run by award-winning chef Bent Stiansen. A varied menu is available, compiled from the freshest and best available ingredients. The beautiful and stylistic 18th-century décor just adds to the restaurant's ambiance. The restaurant consists of five small rooms with an intimate atmosphere. The ceiling contains some of the finest stucco work in northern Europe. Guests must be suitably dressed (jacket and tie for men).
BLÅ is an independent club in Oslo that offers live, contemporary music, including jazz, every night of the week. Contemporary artists from all over the country and international artists perform here. Resident DJs make guest appearances on the weekends. BLÅ also offers an outdoor café experience on the banks of the Aker river. The club hosts events such as "BLÅ, Molde" at the Molde International Jazz Festival. BLÅ has expanded to become one of the largest clubs of its kind in Scandinavia.
The café at Grand Hotel was a favorite of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch and playwright Henrik Ibsen (he still has his own table). Even if absinthe-drinking anarchists and crazy artists no longer frequent the restaurant, Grand is still an important meeting place and serves a fantastic prawn sandwich. You will find Norway's largest sandwich, pastry and salad buffet here, and the à la carte menu offers a wide selection of excellent dishes.
Dedicated solely to Jazz music, this nightclub is a cozy place to go, for all the devotees of Jazz music. This venue has over the years become a meeting ground for talented musicians seeking to explore different rhythms and explore the variations that can be created with jazz music. With a high seating capacity, this hall often tends to get crowded and finding seats is difficult so if you plan to catch up on one of the concerts happening there make sure you reach well in advance.
There are things that are more important than music, you will say. More important than dancing, talking, drinking. Are you thinking soccer? Andy's is one of a few pubs in Oslo where the real action does not happen at night, but around 4p on Saturdays and Sundays (later on some weekdays). Andy's is lively and welcoming to all soccer-lovers. The prices are reasonable and the atmosphere is just as good as that at a match. In short, Andy's is a great place to stop by if you enjoy soccer or enjoy watching people who watch soccer. Check out the website for more.
Oslo has several soccer teams, but it is only Vålerenga that is able to make people raise their voices, shake their heads in disgust, cry or laugh. Through years of scandals this working-class team has been able to come back again and again. Their fans, called "the Clan," populate a few pubs around town, Bohemen being one of them. Several TV screens make sure that everyone who has an interest in soccer is able to get a good view; the beer is cheap, and the atmosphere open and welcoming. If you want to see what real Norwegian soccer fans look like, Bohemen is the place to go.
Last Train on Karl Johan Street has a long tradition of housing musicians, especially those with a predilection for rock. It has been the starting-point for countless Norwegian chart-raiders and flops, and is still important for those who want to be seen with the right people. If you feel like taking a break from the ultra-trendy and fashionable parts of Oslo, Last Train is a useful hideout. The beer is inexpensive and staff and patrons alike are generally nice and welcoming. Even the bouncers have a nice reputation.
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about a world famous cafe chain is the Hard Rock Cafe. The city of Oslo has a Hard Rock Cafe as well, and it is the perfect example of Scandinavian design and architecture blended in with new age American lifestyle. With dragon head arcs, resembling old Viking Boats, Nordic styled bars made beautifully out of wood, Scandinavian paintings and antiques well placed around the cafe, the place has an authentic Nordic Charm to it. Try out the Hickory Smoked Chicken Wings, Caipirinha, or White Russian from the exemplary menu while you enjoy live rock performances on stage. Browse through the exclusive collection for stylish merchandise or simply sit back and relax with a drink.